About the Office of Health Care Facilities

The Office of Health Care Facilities is responsible for ensuring quality of care in hospitals, nursing homes, ambulatory surgical treatment centers, and other kinds of health care facilities in Tennessee. The Office licenses and/or certifies 21 types of health care facilities, including laboratories.

The Office also conducts state licensure and/or federal certification surveys on either an annual or every three (3) year survey schedule based upon facility type per Public Acts Chapter PC 0242for participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Also, this office is responsible for the investigations of all facility complaints received and the issuance and collection of state and/or federal civil monetary penalties. Facility surveys and complaint investigations are coordinated and conducted from our three regional offices located in Jackson, Nashville, and Knoxville.

2. Electronically transmit data to the federal Nursing Home Minimum Data Set (MDS) and the federal home health agency Outcome, Assessment and Information Systems, administers the Eden Alternative Grant Assistance Program, certifies residential homes for the aged and assisted care living facility administrators; and ensures quality of health of Health Maintenance Organizations for the Department of Commerce and Insurance;

3. Provides administrative support to the Board for Licensing Health Care Facilities; and

4. Reviews engineering and architectural plans for all new facilities and major renovations to existing facilities.

The Office’s Civil Rights Compliance Unit monitors facilities for compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VI, and the federal Linton Agreed Order.

Health Care Facilities has three regional offices, the Central office Nashville, as well as locations in Jackson and Knoxville.